RoHS

On January 27, 2003 the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union authorized Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This new directive, also referred to as RoHS (“ro-has”) requires that manufacturers reduce usage of six hazardous substances to minimum acceptable levels by July of 2006.

The six substances affected are:

• Lead (Pb)
• Hexavalent chromium (Cr +6)
• Mercury (Hg)
• Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB)
• Cadmium (Cd)
• Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
   

On the same date, Directive 2002/96/EC or WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) was authorized. This directive encourages and sets specific criteria for the collection, handling and recycling of electric and electronic waste.

• Sets requirements for the amount of WEEE collection (separate from households)
• Holds resellers accountable for providing WEEE returns, free of charge.
• Requires WEEE to be treated
• Requires manufacturers to mark EEE products with the WEEE symbol (trash can with “X”)

Both directives impact the entire electronics industry at every level, from the retail store, to manufacturers, distributors and OEMs. Circuits Unlimited, Inc. has always been concerned about the environment and the future of our planet. Our strategy to support these environmentally important initiatives include…

• 100% of all Circuits Unlimited, Inc.'s overrun materials are recycled.
• Educate all existing customers about RoHS compliance.
• Help offset price increase from existing HAL finished flexible circuitry and RoHS compliant flexible circuitry.

Finished that CU, Inc. offers that are RoHS compliant:

1. Electrolytic Gold
2. Immersion Gold
3. Immersion Tin, White Tin
4. Immersion Silver
5. OSP (Organic Solderability Preservative)

Each of these above listed finished have their special strengths and weaknesses.
Please call CU,Inc. to discuss.
Also, you can go to the IPC web site for more information.